NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is tackling the often-avoided topics of suicide and mental health with the new season of its podcast channel. This series features mental health experts and individuals sharing their real-life experiences, combining personal insights with the latest scientific research.
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First launched in December 2025, the AFSP Podcast Channel is preparing for its second season, which will include new episodes of Ask Dr. Jill, Strong Talk, and Elevating Voices. These episodes will cover contemporary issues in mental health, featuring discussions with change-makers in the field and answering listeners' mental health questions with support from researchers and licensed professionals.
The season's premiere episodes in October include "What Can We Do to Prevent Physician Suicide?" on Ask Dr. Jill, where host Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman speaks with Corey Feist, CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Foundation, about the challenges and prevention methods concerning physician suicide. Another episode from Strong Talk, set for release on October 21, will feature a conversation between host Vic Armstrong and Gemma Correll, a graphic novelist known for humorously addressing anxiety and depression.
Upcoming discussions will feature Dr. Lynnette A. Averill on psychedelics and mental health, therapist Megan McCoy discussing personal finances and mental health, and advocate Faye Seidler addressing suicide prevention in LGBTQ+ communities. Vikram Patel will discuss mental health support in low-resource settings, while Dr. Ellie Foster will explore the influence of public figures on youth mental health conversations.
Dr. Harkavy-Friedman emphasizes the importance of connecting real-world experiences with research findings, stating, "We will be having conversations that combine real-world experiences and research findings and offer our audience actionable content." Victor Armstrong highlights the potential for these conversations to make mental health resources more accessible to diverse communities.
The AFSP Podcast Channel includes various shows: Strong Talk fosters discussions on making mental healthcare accessible, Elevating Voices focuses on understanding unique mental health experiences, and Ask Dr. Jill provides answers to pressing mental health questions informed by the latest scientific research.
The AFSP aims to change the narrative surrounding mental health and suicide through public education, community programs, and advocacy. The organization is headquartered in New York and has local chapters across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. AFSP plans to merge with The Jed Foundation to form AFSP/JED, which will advance suicide prevention efforts nationwide. For more information, visit afsp.org/podcasts.